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Author(s):
Susan M. Stein, Sara J. Comas, James P. Menakis, Mary A. Carr, Susan I. Stewart, Helene Cleveland, Lincoln Bramwell, Volker C. Radeloff
Year Published:

Cataloging Information

Topic(s):
Mapping
Wildland Urban Interface

NRFSN number: 16861
Record updated:

Fire has historically played a fundamental ecological role in many of America’s wildland areas. However, the rising number of homes in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), associated impacts on lives and property from wildfire, and escalating costs of wildfire management have led to an urgent need for communities to become “fire-adapted.” We present maps of the conterminous United States that illustrate historical natural fire regimes, the wildland-urban interface, and the number and location of structures burned since 1999. We outline a sampler of actions, programs, and community planning and development options to help decrease the risks of and damages from wildfire.

Citation

Stein S, Menakis J, Carr MA, Comas SJ, Stewart SI, Cleveland H, Bramwell L, Radeloff VC. 2013. Wildfire, wildlands, and people: understanding and preparing for wildfire in the wildland-urban interface—a Forests on the Edge report. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-299. Fort Collins, CO. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 36 p.